Where the strongest winds on earth blow. Geography of weather records The highest wind speed on earth observed

Hurricane - tropical look cyclone It is distinguished by its relatively small size, but quite destructive power. The name “hurricane” itself comes from the English “hurricane”, which is used to name strong cyclones.

As a rule, they originate near North or South America. His neighbors and close relatives come from the Asia region, and Far East, and usually weaker. They are called "typhoons".

It is worth noting that not every cyclone can be called a hurricane. Some pass with atmospheric phenomena characteristic of the area and then fade away. The cyclone itself is atmospheric vortex impressive size, which is twisted into southern hemisphere clockwise, and counterclockwise in the north. They are especially clearly visible from space. And here atmospheric phenomenon, when viewed from above, has a spiral shape with a hole in the middle, this is the so-called “eye of the storm”. At the center of the cyclone there is a zone low blood pressure. Cyclones owe their origin to the rotation of the planet, while simultaneously moving in its orbit, so this phenomenon is considered common.

The size of cyclones can be several thousand kilometers, while the eye varies from 2-3 kilometers to several tens. As a rule, the size of hurricanes is much smaller, but the speed of air movement in a spiral is much faster and reaches several hundred kilometers per hour. Maximum 300 kilometers per hour.

The area known as the eye of the storm (or eye of the typhoon) typically experiences calm weather with higher temperatures. Warm air falls and falls into the first turns of the spiral, where the colder mass is. As a result, a territory with high differences in pressure. This, in turn, promotes the unwinding air masses the hurricane as a whole. Therefore, the center of the spiral, near the “eye”, has increased power, highest speed and, usually, thunderclouds causing torrential downpours.

Tropical hurricanes originate over the warm waters of the oceans somewhere near the equator. As a result of the planet's rotation, they move west and shift north. This is what determines a large number of hurricanes off the eastern coast North America, as well as Mexico. These territories are larger than others in Lately suffer from the effects of severe hurricanes.

Hurricane strength is measured using the Saffir-Simpson scale, which has five categories. Today, only a few hurricanes of the fifth, highest category, are known.

Now every year there are about a dozen cyclones and several dozen cyclones throughout the planet. And here are the strongest of them.

Most strong hurricane in the world

The Great Hurricane of 1780, or another name - San Calixto. This tropical cyclone of enormous power, which raged in the fall of 1780 near the Caribbean archipelago. It became the deadliest of all known hurricanes. According to documents of that time, at least 22 thousand are known to have died. And since in the eighteenth century the statistics were very conditional, compared to today, we can safely say that the number of victims was much greater.

The Great Hurricane struck the Caribbean islands, from Newfoundland to Barbados, passed through Haiti and destroyed up to 95 percent of all buildings. And this does not count the thousands of lives lost. The tidal wave caused by the hurricane, like a powerful tsunami, passed through some islands, sometimes reaching 7-8 meters in height. She destroyed absolutely everything in her path. The hurricane was accompanied by severe disturbances at sea, so many ships were sunk both in port bays and at some distance from the coast. Including part of the French and English flotillas that took part in the civil war USA. About a hundred ships in the water area ran aground.

Eyewitnesses said that the rain, under the influence of strong winds, tore the bark off the tree trunks, and this before knocking them down. According to scientists, the wind speed was then at least 350 kilometers per hour.

Mitch

The hurricane, which was named Mitch, passed through the Atlantic Basin with incredible power and strength. It originated in October 1998 in the south Caribbean Sea. Meteorologists assigned it the fifth category, the highest. This is due to the wind speed, gusts of which reached 320 kilometers per hour. The hurricane affected the territories of Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador.

Hurricane Mitch. Consequences

It completely devastated them and claimed the lives of 20 thousand people. Most people died from mudflows, strong winds and tidal waves that rose up to 6 meters in height. More than a million people were left homeless, and hundreds were in need of drinking water And medicines. This ultimately led to an increase in infectious diseases.

Katrina

The name Katrina is known to absolutely every American. Because this is the strongest and most destructive hurricane that has ever hit the American coast. Hurricane Katrina originated in August 2005 in the area Bahamas. He quickly gained strength and began to develop towards east coast USA. As soon as the bad weather reached American shores, the hurricane became a category five hurricane.

But for acceptance necessary measures it was already too late. The authorities were unable to cope with the consequences of the disaster. Therefore, at that time, President George W. Bush's approval rating dropped to 38 percent. According to official data alone, more than one and a half thousand people became victims of the hurricane. About half a million more were left homeless. Moreover, approximately 80 percent of the area of ​​New Orleans is flooded.

Typhoon in Pakistan

On the night of November 13, 1970, a powerful typhoon hit the coastal areas of East Pakistan. Hurricane winds formed a huge wave up to 8 meters high. It swept across a number of islands and coastal areas. This typhoon has become almost the most major disaster throughout the history of mankind. By different estimates, the number of deaths ranged from 500 thousand to a million people.

Most strong wind registered in the world by a commission of experts on April 10, 1996. The wind gust reached its record high on Barrow Island, Australia. At this time, Cyclone Olivia was passing through here.

The wind speed on the island reached 408 kilometers per hour. For comparison average speed winds in the world reach 15 kilometers per hour.

Previously, the fastest wind in the world was considered to be a current that was caught in New Hampshire at Mount Washington. This place is still considered one of the most unfriendly on the planet. Before the new record was set in 1996, the American wind in New Hampshire was considered the strongest flow for about 70 years.

Wind speeds at the top of Mount Washington reached 372 kilometers per hour.

Despite these planetary anomalies, a general weakening of winds around the world is being recorded today. Researchers analyzed the performance of 800 weather stations over the past 3 decades. It turned out that today wind speeds have decreased by 15%. That is, if earlier the air flows moved at a speed of 17 km/h, today it is already 14 km/h.

What is the reason? Scientists believe that one of the main reasons for such indicators is forest restoration due to acute environmental situation. But no one discounts global warming.

What is the threat? But the consequences of such changes can be negative for humans. For example, the researchers suggested that slowing wind flows could lead to air pollution, as well as a sharp reduction in the dispersal of seeds on the ground. Not to mention the fact that wind farms will now generate significantly less energy. The strangest clouds have also appeared in the world.

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The difference in pressure between two different air regions results in wind. The speed and direction of its movement can vary depending on pressure indicators in time and space. In most areas of the planet, certain wind directions dominate. So, at the poles they prevail easterly winds, V temperate latitudes- Western. Along with such areas, there are also calm zones and anomalous areas where the wind blows constantly.

Strong winds can also occur due to local changes such as the opposition of a cyclone and an anticyclone. Based on the effect of wind on land objects and waves at sea, wind strength is assessed in points on the Beaufort scale. Depending on how fast the wind blows, each wind force has its own verbal definition.

Wind speed: 1-5 km/h

From 0 to 1 point

Calm is windless or almost windless weather, in which maximum speed wind is no more than 0.5 m/s. When a calm wind blows, light ripples appear on the sea. On land, with such a wind, the smoke deviates from the vertical direction.
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Light, weak, moderate, fresh

Wind speed: 12-38 km/h

From 2 to 5 points

Wind from force 2 is classified as light. It can sway the leaves of trees, its breath can be felt on the skin. At 3 points, weak wind, branches and flags begin to sway, and short but pronounced waves appear on the sea. Moderate winds, which are estimated at 4 points, raise dust, blur the outlines of smoke and create whitecaps on the water. A fresh force 5 wind is capable of shaking thin trunks, causing a whistle in the ears and forming waves up to 2 meters high.

Strong, tough and very tough

Wind speed: from 39 to 61 km/h

From 6 to 8 points

A strong wind of force 6 usually prevents you from opening an umbrella. He can easily bend thin trees and swing thick branches. The height of the waves reaches 3 meters. It is difficult to go against a strong wind, which is estimated at 7 points. It will be even more difficult to do this if there is a very strong wind outside the window. It is also very difficult to speak in such a wind.

Storm

Wind speed: 75 to 88 km/h

From 9 to 11 points

The storm can be ordinary, strong and cruel. If an ordinary person just rips tiles from roofs and bends big trees, then its older “brothers” can destroy buildings, uproot trees and raise a wave 11 meters high.

Hurricane

Wind speed: more than 117 km/h

The hurricane literally destroys everything that gets in its way. Wind gusts can reach 50-60 m/sec. The wind can easily lift heavy objects into the air and carry them over considerable distances, sink ships and destroy monumental buildings.

Records

The strongest gust of wind in history was recorded in 1934 at Mount Washington in New Hampshire, USA. For several minutes the wind blew at a speed of 123 m/s. Commonwealth Bay in Antarctica is considered the windiest place on the planet. There the wind blows constantly, and its speed reaches 240 km/h.